The Federation - Chopped Edition

1.1 League Structure #

Total Teams

18

Divisions

None. No head-to-head matchups.

Regular Season / Elimination Process

Weeks 1-17. Each week, the lowest-scoring team is eliminated ("chopped"). Their entire roster is released to the FAAB waiver wire. The process repeats until a sole survivor emerges as champion in Week 17.

Format

Chopped. Winner take all.

1.2 Draft Information #

Draft Type

Snake Draft | 12 rounds | 2 minutes per pick

Draft Order Reveal

Tuesday, September 1, 2026. Order is randomized by the Commissioner

Draft Date

Saturday, September 5, 2026 at 2:30 PM CDT

Draft Location

Online via Sleeper, with optional in-person meetup TBA

Season Begins

Wednesday, September 9, 2026

1.3 Important Reminders #

Notifications

Enable Sleeper notifications to receive league communications, waiver alerts, and elimination notices. Settings > Notifications within the app.

Player Status

Sleeper notifications are a convenience tool, not the authoritative source for player status. The NFL requires teams to post inactives approximately 90 minutes before kickoff. Failure to receive a Sleeper notification is not grounds for relief. See Section 4.4.

2.1 Franchise Fee #

Amount

$20 per team

Due Date

Wednesday, July 15, 2026 (returning managers)

Payment Platform

FanCred (fancred.app) - see Section 14.2 for full platform terms

2.2 Refund Policy #

• Payment of the franchise fee is final. No refunds will be issued for manager withdrawal, elimination by chop, removal for rule violation, or any other circumstance.
• Exception: If 18 paid franchises cannot be fielded in time to begin the season, or if the NFL regular season does not occur, all paid entry fees will be refunded through FanCred.

2.3 Roster Finalization & New Manager Process #

The 18-team roster is finalized through two payment processes: a fixed deadline for returning managers and a rolling window for new managers filling open spots.

3.1 Quarterback Scoring #

Passing Yards

1 point per 25 yards (0.04 per yard)

Passing Touchdowns

4 points

2-Point Conversions

2 points

Interceptions Thrown

-2 points

Pick-6 Thrown

-2 points

3.2 Skill Position Scoring #

3.3 Individual Player Special Teams Scoring #

4.1 Roster Composition #

Starting Lineup

1 QB, 2 RB, 2 WR, 1 TE, 2 FLEX (RB/WR/TE) (8 starters)

Bench Spots

4 players

IR Spot

None

Total Roster Size

12 players

4.2 Lineup Management #

Competitive Lineup Requirement

Managers must set a complete, competitive starting lineup each week. All 8 starting positions must be filled with active, eligible players.

Individual Game Locks

Each player's roster spot locks at their individual game kickoff.

Auto-Substitution

Managers may designate up to two (2) bench players as auto-substitutes through Sleeper.

Manager Responsibility for Timing

Managers are solely responsible for the timing of their lineup decisions. A manager who delays setting their lineup until players begin locking at game kickoffs assumes the risk of being unable to field a complete lineup. Inability to fill a starting roster spot because eligible replacements have already locked into their own games is not grounds for relief.

4.3 Lineup Responsibility #

Managers must set a complete, competitive starting lineup each week. All 8 starting positions must be filled with active, eligible players.

In Chopped Edition, the natural consequence of an incomplete or non-competitive lineup is elimination from the league via the weekly chop. Empty roster spots, bye-week players, or players carrying an Out (O), Injured Reserve (IR), Physically Unable to Perform (PUP), Non-Football Injury (NFI), or Suspended designation score zero or negative points, substantially increasing chop risk.

No FAAB fines or penalties apply to lineup decisions in Chopped Edition. The chop is the consequence. The only exceptions are:

• Deliberate sabotage in coordination with another manager (Section 11.2.1 Collusion or 11.2.2 Tanking and Roster Sabotage)
• Sustained disengagement that disrupts league integrity beyond natural elimination (Section 11.2.4 Team Abandonment)

4.4 The No-Relief Principle #

The Commissioner will not reverse chops, adjust scores, or provide substitution relief for any of the following:

Game-Time Scratches

A player who was not on the NFL's 90-minute inactives list and was not listed as Questionable (Q) but is subsequently ruled out, scratched, or injured before kickoff. This is part of the format.

Missed Platform Notifications

Sleeper notifications are a convenience tool. The NFL inactives list (https://www.nfl.com/inactives/) is the authoritative source, posted 90 minutes before kickoff. Failure to receive a Sleeper notification does not constitute grounds for relief.

Platform Glitches and Display Errors

App malfunctions, sync problems, and accidental submissions are not grounds for relief. Lineup decisions are final at kickoff.

In the unlikely event of a documented platform-wide outage affecting multiple managers simultaneously, the Commissioner retains sole discretion to act. This exception is reserved for genuine systemic failures, not individual-account issues. Stat correction reversals are governed separately under Section 7.2

4.5 Accidental Drops #

Drops processed through the waiver wire or free agent system are final. Accidental drops are not grounds for reinstatement.

4.6 Chopped Team Roster Release #

Upon being chopped, a team's entire roster - starters and bench - is released to the FAAB waiver wire. The released players are immediately available for FAAB bids by all surviving teams in the next waiver processing window.

4.7 Co-Manager Rules #

Authorization

A manager must notify the Commissioner before adding a co-manager. Failure to notify is a violation subject to Commissioner action, including revocation of the arrangement. A co-manager who controls or co-manages another franchise in the league constitutes a multi-team management violation (Section 11.2.3).

Account Limitation

A co-manager may not be the primary manager or co-manager of any other franchise in The Federation - Chopped Edition in the current season.

Chopped Managers

Teams whose managers have been chopped remain ineligible to serve as co-managers for surviving teams in the same season.

Liability

The primary manager is fully responsible for all co-manager actions. Violations by a co-manager are attributed to the primary manager.

Rule Compliance

Co-managers are bound by all rules in this rulebook to the same extent as the primary manager.

Commissioner Discretion

The Commissioner may revoke co-manager arrangements at any time.

5.1 Free Agent Acquisition Budget (FAAB) #

Season Budget

$1,000 per team for the entire season

Reset

Annual - budget resets each new season

Bidding

Blind bid system through Sleeper

Minimum Bid

$0. Players not claimed during waiver processing become free agents immediately and may be acquired for $0

Tie-Breaker

Rolling waiver priority (Section 5.4)

5.2 FAAB Guidelines #

• Your $1,000 budget must last the entire season. Manage it accordingly - chopped rosters can include elite players, and bidding is an integral part of the format.
• Winning bids are deducted immediately. Losing bids are returned.
• FAAB dollars cannot be traded (no trades permitted - see Section 6).

5.3 Waiver Schedule #

Weekly Waivers

Process Wednesday at 2:00 AM CDT using FAAB bidding. Unclaimed players become free agents immediately after processing.

Dropped Player Waivers

All dropped players enter a 1-day FAAB waiver period. Players dropped within 24 hours of being added return directly to free agency.

Chopped Roster Release

Players from a chopped team enter the next regular Wednesday waiver run.

5.4 Rolling Waiver Priority #

Initial Priority

Reverse of draft order

Movement

A team that wins a waiver claim moves to the back of the priority line. All other teams move up one spot.

Tie-Breaking

When multiple teams submit the same FAAB bid, waiver priority determines the winner.

No Weekly Reset

Priority does not reset based on standings.

6.1 Trades Not Permitted #

Trades are not permitted in The Federation - Chopped Edition. Strategic focus is solely on drafting, FAAB execution, and lineup management.

7.1 Elimination Tiebreaker #

If two or more teams tie for the lowest weekly score, the following cascade determines which team is chopped:

• Team with the lowest cumulative season points scored to date is chopped. Does not apply in Week 1. Applied automatically by Sleeper.
• Week 1 only: the team with the higher (better) draft position is chopped. Per Sleeper's documented Week 1 tiebreaker - the team that drafted earlier (e.g., 1.05 over 1.08) is eliminated. Applied automatically by Sleeper.
• If still tied at any point: the team whose lowest-scoring starter that week scored fewer points is chopped.
• If still tied: comparison continues to the second-lowest starter, third-lowest, and so on through the entire starting lineup until the tie is broken.
• If still tied after all starters have been compared: the team with the higher (better) original draft position is chopped.

7.2 Stat Corrections and Score Finalization #

Stat corrections are honored from game completion through end of day Thursday of the following week, with most corrections processed Monday and Tuesday. Weekly results are final after that window regardless of any later platform updates.

Sleeper's auto-chop is applied based on scores at the time of execution. If a material stat correction occurs after a chop has been executed but before the next FAAB processing, the Commissioner reserves the right to reverse the chop and apply the correct elimination.

8.1 The Chop #

Each week throughout the NFL regular season, the team with the lowest actual weekly score is chopped (eliminated).

8.2 Elimination Cadence #

Week 1

18 teams compete. 1 team chopped.

Weeks 2-16

Surviving teams compete. 1 team chopped per week.

Week 17

Final 2 teams. The team with the higher weekly score is the Champion.

8.3 Chop Execution #

The Federation - Chopped Edition uses Sleeper's auto-chop. The chop fires automatically at the conclusion of each week. The chopped team's full roster is released to the waiver wire per Section 4.6.

8.4 Chopping Block Tab #

Sleeper's Chopping Block tab provides live projected standings throughout each week:

Chop Zone

The team currently projected for the lowest weekly score (in the most danger).

Danger

Teams whose projected points are dangerously close to the lowest in the league.

Safe

Teams most likely to survive the week based on projections.

Managers are encouraged to monitor the Chopping Block tab in real time during NFL game days.

8.5 Championship Determination #

In Week 17, only two teams remain. The team with the higher weekly score is crowned Champion of The Federation - Chopped Edition for that season.

If Week 17 ends in a tie, Section 7.1 tiebreaker cascade applies in reverse: the team with the HIGHER cumulative season points wins, then higher-scoring starter cascade, etc. The losing team is chopped.

9.1 Championship Payout #

Total Prize Pool

$360 (18 teams x $20)

9.2 Prize Payout Process #

Prizes are distributed through FanCred per Section 14.2. Distribution occurs only after final league statistics are verified and stat corrections are confirmed.

Payout Timeline

Champion prize distributed within 10 calendar days of the Championship game conclusion.

Manager Responsibility

Each manager is responsible for keeping their FanCred account active and up to date throughout the season. The Commissioner is not responsible for delays caused by inactive accounts, outdated info, or incomplete verification.

10.1 Team Name Requirements #

• Format: [City/State/Location] + [Your Moniker]
• Teams may not use "The" as part of the location prefix.
• Example: "New Orleans Bayou Blitzers," "Ohio Gridiron Gurus"
• Not Acceptable: "The Ohio Gridiron Gurus"
• Market Restriction: No two teams may share the same city or location.
  • Acceptable: "Dallas Destroyers" and "Houston Doom"
  • Not Acceptable: "Dallas Destroyers" and "Dallas Doom"
• Logo Required: Each team must have a logo that represents the team name. Preferred formats are SVG or PNG with transparent background, as logos will be used in team communications, league graphics, the Federation website and other promotional materials. The Commissioner can assist if needed.
• Submission Deadline: Team name and logo due within 24 hours of franchise payment confirmation. Rejected submissions require a compliant replacement within 24 hours of notification.
• Non-Compliance: $50 FAAB per day until approved submission, draft start, or full FAAB cap, whichever comes first.
• Lock Date: Team names and logos lock upon submission and cannot be changed, except as required by Section 11.1.2 for correction of a content violation.

10.2 Prohibited Content #

Team names must not contain:

• Offensive, racist, or discriminatory language of any kind.
• Overtly sexual or vulgar content.
• Personal attacks on league members.
• Politically charged content, references to real political figures or movements, or language that incorporates culturally insensitive references targeting specific ethnic, religious, national, or cultural groups.

The Commissioner has final authority on name violations. Enforcement procedures are in Section 11.1.2.

10.3 Team Name Reuse #

Team names previously used in The Federation may not be available for use by other managers. Returning managers retain first right to reclaim their own previous names. All other reuse requires Commissioner approval.

10.4 Retired Names #

Championship-winning team names and names belonging to deceased managers are permanently retired and will not be reassigned.

11.1 Minor Violations #

11.2 Major Violations #

11.3 Enforcement Procedure #

11.4 Appeal and Review Process #

A manager who has received a penalty or is directly affected by a Commissioner's decision may submit a request for appeal within 24 hours of the decision notification.

All appeals - minor or major - are reviewed and decided solely by the Commissioner. The Commissioner reviews the appeal and any new evidence presented, and issues a final ruling within 72 hours of appeal submission. The Commissioner's appeal ruling is final.

12.1 Powers and Responsibilities #

The Commissioner has authority to:

• Interpret and enforce all league rules
• Investigate suspected violations
• Issue penalties and disciplinary actions
• Resolve disputes between managers
• Issue emergency rule clarifications mid-season
• Manage league finances and prize payouts
• Edit team rosters, FAAB budgets, and waiver priorities when necessary
• Make scoring corrections and override platform restrictions for league integrity
• Switch between Auto Chop and Manual Chop modes as circumstances require
• Oversee and update the league's official digital presence and communication platforms
• Research, implement, and manage payment processing and league operations

12.2 Limitations #

The Commissioner may not:

• Change rules mid-season. Rule changes are limited to the annual review cycle (Section 13.2). The Commissioner may issue emergency rule clarifications under Section 13.3, which interpret existing rules without altering their substance.
• Show favoritism in enforcement
• Overturn fair competitive results unless a confirmed rule violation has occurred

12.3 Commissioner Tenure and League Continuity #

The role of Commissioner is held indefinitely by 1HangryGoat, who established and has led The Federation since its founding in 2023 and the Chopped Edition since its founding in 2025. The Commissioner's tenure is not subject to a vote of no confidence, challenge, or removal by league members. Decisions rendered by the Commissioner in the execution of their duties are final within the framework of this rulebook.

The Commissioner retains exclusive authority to determine future leadership of the league. Should the Commissioner choose to step down, they shall at their sole discretion appoint a successor to ensure uninterrupted continuity of The Federation - Chopped Edition.

13.1 Rulebook Foundation #

This rulebook establishes The Federation - Chopped Edition's governance framework and operational standards. These rules ensure competitive integrity, clear enforcement procedures, and transparent operations across all seasons.

13.2 Annual Rule Review Process #

The Commissioner conducts an annual review of the Chopped Edition rulebook in the off-season:

February 1-28

Open proposal period. Any eligible manager may submit rule change proposals

March 1-May 15

Commissioner review period. Commissioner evaluates proposals and recommendations

May 16-31

Finalization period. Commissioner reviews decisions and prepares updated rulebook

June 1

Complete updated rulebook published and distributed to all returning managers

July 15

Payment deadline for returning managers. Payment constitutes acceptance of published rules

Submission Format

Written proposal with clear rationale. Direct message to Commissioner through Sleeper or via commish@federationffl.com.

The Commissioner has sole authority to accept, modify, or reject any rule change proposal.

13.3 Mid-Season Rule Interpretation and Precedent #

The Commissioner retains authority to interpret existing rules mid-season, either proactively through announced clarifications (when disputes arise, platform changes require response, or league integrity is threatened) or reactively through rulings on specific situations not explicitly covered by existing rules.

Clarifications and precedent rulings interpret existing rule language without altering substance, scope, or application. They may not introduce new rules, change scoring values, modify deadlines, or otherwise effect substantive rule changes. Substantive rule changes are restricted to the annual review cycle (Section 13.2).

Announced clarifications are published to all managers with clear rationale. Precedent rulings are applied consistently to similar situations for the remainder of the season.

13.4 Annual League Review #

Each off-season the Commissioner conducts a comprehensive review covering financial performance, competitive balance, engagement metrics, rule enforcement outcomes, platform performance, manager feedback, and Sleeper feature updates. Findings inform rule changes for the upcoming season.

14.1 Acknowledgment and Agreement #

By participating in The Federation of Fantasy Football Leagues - Chopped Edition - including paying an entry fee, accepting a league invitation, or submitting a lineup - each manager acknowledges they have read, understood, and agree to be bound by all rules in this rulebook.

Violation of league rules may result in penalties up to and including removal from the league and forfeiture of all fees and prize eligibility as outlined in Section 11.

14.2 Payment Platform Terms: FanCred #

The Federation - Chopped Edition processes all league fees and prize payouts through FanCred (fancred.app). By contributing funds through FanCred, managers agree to FanCred's Terms of Service in addition to this rulebook.

Payout Authority

The Commissioner has sole authority over all payout allocations under FanCred Terms, Section 5 (Payout Rule - "Commissioner has total control" option).

Eligibility

FanCred is the required payment platform for The Federation - Chopped Edition. Per FanCred Terms Section 3, FanCred service is restricted to residents of the United States and Canada; deployed US military with a US home of record qualify. FanCred supports multiple payment methods, with available options varying by member location.

On the rare occasion a manager cannot fund their FanCred account through any supported method, they may request an alternative payment arrangement. Each request is reviewed individually based on documented evidence and is subject to Commissioner approval. Processing fees and currency conversion costs are deducted from prize payouts.

Payment Processor Fees

Any third-party processor fees applied during entry fee payment or prize payout, including credit card surcharges, instant transfer fees, currency conversion, and fees associated with Commissioner-approved alternative payment arrangements, are the manager's responsibility and are not reimbursed by the league.

Disputes

All disputes are handled internally under Section 11. FanCred does not resolve intra-league disputes (FanCred Terms, Section 10, Intra-League Disputes). Commissioner decisions are final (FanCred Terms, Section 17, Conflict Resolution - Final Authority Clause).

Chargebacks

Filing a chargeback against any league payment is a major violation resulting in immediate removal and permanent ban.

No Refunds

Per Section 2.2 and FanCred's platform terms.

Payout Timeline

Champion prize distributed within 10 calendar days of the Championship game conclusion.

Identity Verification

Transactions over $500 require identity verification through FanCred and its payment processor (Stripe). FanCred limits all members to 3 payouts and $9,000 per rolling 30-day period. Completing verification is the manager's responsibility, and prize funds remain held by FanCred until complete. Failure to verify does not obligate The Federation or the Commissioner to provide alternative payout methods.

Fee Forfeiture

Managers removed for any rule violation forfeit their entire entry fee.

Platform

FanCred is the current payment platform. The Federation - Chopped Edition reserves the right to migrate to a different payment platform or proprietary solution at the start of any future season without requiring league approval.